Happy Healthy YOU in 2017! –Part Five

In our new year’s issue, I offered a checklist of 5 healthy daily practices for a healthier you in 2017. Today we continue our series of why these practices are so important. The fifth daily healthy practice is: Pause for at least 5 minutes of quiet and stillness.

Try to do these 5 things everyday:1. Add 1 more cup of veggies
2. Add 2 more glasses of filtered water
3. Say no to least 1 processed food (bread, bagels, pizza, crackers, dessert)
4. Get outside for at least 15 mins (walk in your office parking lot or around the block)5. Pause for at least 5 minutes of quiet and stillness (breathing, meditation, etc.)

WHY? Our nervous system is not designed to manage the stress that most of us experience every day. It affects our digestion, sleep, immune system and even our metabolism with stress chemicals creating challenges with blood sugar and inflammation. The research is overwhelming showing that meditation or mindfulness practices are very supportive to reduce the effects of stress. Having said that, most people find it hard to carve out sufficient time per day to meditate. But, finding 5 minutes is very manageable. Sitting and focusing on your breath or using one of the many apps like headspace, buddhify, calm and smiling mind are easy tools to use. You may be able to carve out your 5 minutes during lunchtime at work or even in your parked car. These practices calm the nervous system and reset the body to focus on repair and maintenance to keep the body in balance.

Simply Easy Tip:

Many of us spend a lot of time driving in our cars. One easy trick to create a pause is to use time stopped at red lights as a time to breath. Inhale for the count of 5 and exhale for the count of 5, repeat until the light changes. It’s an easy way to bring mindfulness to your day.

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